Become a part of a flexible leadership team that appreciates work/life balance!

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We invite you to apply to this unique and exciting leadership position in our preschool as we work to change the landscape of early childhood careers. The focus of the Director of People is on teachers as “People” and addresses the key question “how do we attract and retain the best teaching professionals?” We are looking to hire a Director of People and Culture as part of our leadership team model. We believe that the successful candidate will work as a member of a leadership team that creates plans, sets goals, and collaborates effectively to achieve our mission. We’re looking for an organized thinker who can juggle multiple projects and is excited by the opportunity to combine their early education training with an innovative focus on developing a sustainable and thriving people-centered, and antiracist culture. As part of the leadership team, you will be working alongside the Directors of 2 smaller infant/toddler centers, an Office Manager and the Professional Development Coordinator /Curriculum Coach. You’ll also support the Executive Director, (with consultation from the finance Director) to create a culture of “yes” to foster infinitely creative and inspired educators.

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Our Mission: We are a 5 STAR, nature based early childhood education program that views each child as an individual with a unique developmental profile. Through developmentally responsive outdoor programming, we serve children aged 6 weeks to 8 years. Our mission is to Achieve the highest level of professional development, Build a community where families feel connected and respected, and to Cultivate sustainable environmental choices and business practices to support the health and well being of all who work and play here!

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Our Guiding Principles embody how we work in nature based early education: Collaboration: We believe that our best work is done together with reflection and intention at the core.Empathy: We believe in putting people first and the power of positive authentic relationships with all individuals. Quality: We believe in setting the standard for excellence in early childhood education and being a role model for core program values, including but not limited to upholding the NAEYC Code of Ethics. Positive Impact: We believe in building a better world through our work with children as competent meaning-makers with deep associations and experiences in nature.Sustainability: We believe in creating and developing practices that will sustain our planet, our local environment and our future.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Build a professional team: Using your combined appreciation of early childhood programming with experience leading teams, act as a professional mentor using our proprietary set of behavioral competencies as a guide for training and career development. This will include designing team building activities and leading parts of staff meetings. You’ll be accountable for all personnel management files to comply with legal and licensing requirements. You will be working in close partnership with our Curriculum Director and Program Directors to create and support the success of our teachers as people on our team as a whole. You will be responsible for overseeing the work of the FRWR Office Manager (and a PT/FT Administrative Assistant TBD).

• Interface with Northern Lights/BFIS: ensuring required employee documents & credentials are shared and documented.

• Support employee development on the Northern Lights Career Ladder.

• Enhance our culture: Nurturing our program’s dynamic culture and workplace well being. Provide ongoing communication and encourage teacher’s growing edge as professionals in the field. Surface any issues that are preventing us from being a great place to work! Celebrate and recognize achievements and professional successes in real time. Encourage team collaboration through the Appreciative Inquiry approach.

• Attract and onboard the best talent: You will be our face to early education teaching professionals seeking employment. You’ll be creative in sourcing and responding to enquiries, and conduct vibrant and curious interviews to make great hiring recommendations. You’ll lead the on-boarding/orientation of all new employees (including our benefits and training, and implement 30/60/90 day orientation plans with each new employee). Each employee will develop an Individual Development Review Plan (IPDP) and you’ll implement periodic check-ins to support employees toward growing their behavioral competencies. You’ll lead the process of annual reviews (in collaboration with site Directors and the Coach), and be detail oriented in overseeing changes to subsequent employee payroll/salaries. You’ll be creative in researching and making recommendations regarding our employment benefits portfolio and handbook.

• Managing HR systems: This position oversees the Office Manager who processes PTO requests (SageHR)and creates staff schedules. You’ll be overseeing our payroll/salary systems (Connect Pay), including managing online benefits systems (Affiliated Associates, Healthy Dollars, Vermont Saves).

• Engage as a full member of the FRWR Leadership Team which includes a presence at all (3) sites, and regular Leadership meetings. Engaging in collaborative decision making to grow staff and the sustainability of the program, including adherence to licensing requirements, and managing program risk in terms of policy and practice (course corrections).

• Advocate for nature based early childhood

• Be proficient in understanding ECE legislation changes and initiatives

• Help keep our 5 year plan relevant and exciting

• Help refresh mission and guiding principles

• Be proficient in state regulations to keep our practice in good standing

• Attend professional networking & partnerships (conference participation/presentation, attending career fairs, etc.)

• participate in community events to represent our programs (specifically at recruitment opportunities)

• Your positive presence across the three sites will be easy to see, and this could take various forms that could look like being a resource, a guide, a support, or even ratio coverage when needed.

• As a member of the onsite leadership team, you’ll support the Site Director with family communications around child wellness, illness, or injury/incident notifications, and participating in a rotation of the leadership team on site at the end of day.

 

Some of the things we are looking for in you:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (Human Resources, Early Education, Social Work, or Psychology preferred). Director Credential a plus.

• Childcare Experience: Perhaps you have work experience in an early childhood environment as a classroom teacher or as an Assistant Director. Perhaps you don't, but will want to learn more. Either way we are looking for the ability to inspire and motivate people as professionals in their ECE career growth.

• HR Experience: 3 -5 years successful experience with hiring or overseeing human resources and personnel issues. Knowledge of basic HR functions and people-centered law and state policies.

• Business Savvy: Solid understanding of the key drivers of an early education business model.

• Creative thinking with a “can-do” approach. Proactive thinker looking to build an irresistible culture and happy place to work as we grow our programs for young families and employees.

• Communication Skills: Distill and be able to have fair, clear and sometimes challenging conversations with all audiences. Be skilled in the art of giving and receiving authentic and compassionate feedback. Seek out and manage employee feedback. Be able to practice and model Non-violent Communication Skills (NVC).

• Interpersonal Skills: Build trust and effectively collaborate with everyone.

• Sense of Humor: Humor and laughter are a helpful tool for navigating life as well as bringing people together.

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Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: $57,720 - $62,920

• Reports to: Executive Director

• Work Week: 40 hours (leadership team offers some work from home hours)

• Paid Time Off (PTO): 120 hours/year (prorated from start date). In addition we are also closed for 3 other weeks for which you will be paid: February, July, December.

• Paid public holidays.

• $1200/year Employee Benefit Health Reimbursement Account (EBHRA).

• Group Health Insurance Policy (non employer contributory)

• Additional coverage available for employee-paid premiums for Dental and Vision. 50% employer contribution to single dental plans.

• Paid professional development to meet program requirements for STARS. Paid inservice training days are included in our annual school calendar.

• Tuition reimbursement plan up to $500 per year.

• Short Term disability coverage. This provides replacement income should you become ill or disabled during employment and cannot work. It is provided at NO COST to you.

• Life insurance $25,000 coverage (employer provided).

• A reduction in the employee's cost for full-time childcare at First Roots-Wild Roots up to a maximum $5,000/year based on availability and then prevailing rates. This reduction will be calculated after any childcare subsidy (CCFAP) for which the employee may be eligible. This childcare discount is prorated from your start date and is $192.31/pay period (bi-weekly).

• Additional 20% program discount on childcare tuition.

• Up to 90 days rent free accommodation for relocating from out of state, or moving 50+ miles (2 BR apt in Hinesburg) (if available at time of hire).

• Reimbursement for moving expenses up to $1,000 for relocating from out of state, or moving 50+ miles.

• Children of staff have priority registration for school age Treehouse Summer Camp.

• Reimbursement for Entry (Digital) Level NAEYC Membership or approved equivalent.

 

Other fun stuff!

• Weekly open play Pickleball session at The Pop in South Burlington/Essex, including one introductory how to play lesson, and one skill development lesson to start!

• Access to the CVU high school track and trails for break time walks

• “Zen room” for breaks at 96 Pond Rd. with napping futon, puzzles, couches

• Access to cooling off and relaxing in our in-ground pool at 96 Pond Road (weekends too!)

• Discounted winter/spring tire changeover while you work

• Branded LL Bean fleece jackets, vests and a beanie

• Helly Hensen rain bibs for mud season

• Monthly staff lunches and bagel days

• All day coffee and tea/snacks in our staff lounges

 

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,720.00 - $62,920.00 per year